Mobile Power Supply

• US 20080084187A1
• Filed: 10/04/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PowerCart Systems, Inc. (Active Control Technology, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PowerCart Systems, Inc. (Active Control Technology, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cutrona, Anthony J.
• Application Number:
  US11/538,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20080084187A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/132
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00306 Overdischarge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0031 using battery or load disconnect circuits H02J9/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

A system for controlling battery usage in a mobile power supply includes a controller for monitoring a state of charge of the battery and the voltage and switching off all power from the battery when the battery reaches a predetermined power off state of charge or a low voltage condition. A switch provides power to the controller in response to receipt of power from an other source, thereby causing the controller to resume monitoring of the state of charge of the battery. When the battery reaches a predetermined power off state of charge, the controller switches off power from the battery. The switch turns the controller back on in response to receipt of power from the other source. When the battery is recharged to a predetermined restart state of charge and when the voltage reaches a restart voltage, power from the battery is switched back on.

Claims

1. A system for controlling battery usage in a mobile power supply, the system comprising:

a controller for monitoring a said battery and switching off all power from the battery when said battery reaches a predetermined power off state of charge; and

a switch for providing power to said controller in response to receipt of power from an other source, thereby causing the controller to resume monitoring of the battery, wherein

when said battery reaches a predetermined power off state of charge, said controller switches off power from said battery and when said battery is recharged to a predetermined restart state of charge, power from said battery is switched back on for providing power to peripheral devices when said other source is no longer available.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said controller further monitors battery voltage and switches off all power from said battery when said battery reaches a predetermined low voltage, and wherein when said controller resumes monitoring of the battery, power from the battery is switched back on when said battery also reaches a predetermined voltage.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said other source comprises an AC power supply.

4. The system according to claim 3, comprising a charger connectable to said AC power supply for charging said battery.

5. The system according to claim 3, comprising an automatic transfer switch for automatically providing power to a load from said AC power supply, when said AC power supply is provided.

6. The system according to claim 3, comprising an inverter for converting direct current to alternating current for supplying power to a load.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said controller is connected to a power switch between said battery and said inverter and said controller turns off said switch to switch off power from the battery.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said controller turns itself off to switch off power from the battery.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said switch for providing power to said controller comprises an analog rectifier circuit for turning on said controller.

10. A mobile power supply comprising:

a charger connectable to an AC power supply for charging the battery;

a power switch connectable to said battery for turning power from said battery on and off;

an inverter connectable to said battery for converting direct current from said battery to alternating current for supplying power to a load;

a controller for controlling said power switch for turning off all power from the battery when said battery reaches a predetermined power off state of charge; and

a resume switch for resuming power to said controller in response to receipt of power from said AC power supply, thereby causing the controller to resume monitoring of the state of charge of said battery, wherein

when said battery reaches a predetermined power off state of charge, said controller switches off said power switch and turns off all power from said battery and when said battery is recharged and reaches a predetermined restart state of charge, said controller switches on said power switch.

11. The mobile power supply according to claim 10, wherein said controller further monitors battery voltage and switches off all power from said battery when said battery reaches a predetermined low voltage, and wherein when said controller resumes monitoring of the battery, power from the battery is switched back on when said battery also reaches a predetermined voltage.

12. The mobile power supply according to claim 10, comprising an automatic transfer switch for automatically providing power to a load from said AC power supply, when said AC power supply is connected.

13. The mobile power supply according to claim 10, wherein said controller turns itself off to switch off power from the battery when said battery reaches said predetermined power off state of charge.

14. The mobile power supply according to claim 10, wherein said resume switch comprises an analog rectifier circuit for turning on said controller.

15. The mobile power supply according to claim 10, wherein said controller comprises a microcontroller for turning said power switch on and off.

16. A mobile cart for use with a battery, the mobile cart comprising:

a body;

a plurality of wheels connected to and supporting said body for rolling said body across a surface; and

a power supply system connected to said body for providing power to peripheral devices, the power supply system comprising;

an AC input device for connecting to an AC power source;

a charger connected to said AC input device;

a power switch for connection to said battery for turning power from said battery on and off;

an inverter for connection to said battery for converting direct current from said battery to alternating current for supplying AC power to a peripheral device;

a controller for controlling said power switch for turning off all power from the battery when said battery reaches a predetermined power off state of charge;

a resume switch for resuming power to said controller in response to receipt of power from said AC power source, thereby causing the controller to resume monitoring of the state of charge of said battery; and

a peripheral output for connection of said peripheral device, wherein

when said battery reaches a predetermined power off state of charge, said controller switches off said power switch and turns off all power from said battery and when said battery is recharged and reaches a predetermined restart state of charge, said controller switches on said power switch.

17. The mobile cart according to claim 16, wherein said controller further monitors battery voltage and switches off all power from said battery when said battery reaches a predetermined low voltage, and wherein when said controller resumes monitoring of the battery, power from the battery is switched back on when said battery also reaches a predetermined voltage.

18. The mobile cart according to claim 16, wherein said power supply system comprises an automatic transfer switch for automatically providing power to a load from said AC input device when connected to said AC power source.

19. The mobile cart according to claim 16, wherein said controller turns itself off to switch off power from the battery when said battery reaches said predetermined power off state of charge.

20. The mobile cart according to claim 16, wherein said resume switch comprises an analog rectifier circuit for turning on said controller.

21. The mobile cart according to claim 16, wherein said controller comprises a microcontroller for turning said power switch on and off.